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colectomy

I have been advised to have a colectomy because of numerous (hundreds) pseudo-polyps.  I have been screened for a genetic colon cancer gene link and was found NOT to have the gene. Presently I have no colon "problems". I am 61 years old and in very good health.  Able to work out daily, play with grand children, bicycle with my husband.  I am a semi-retired accountant and work out of my home.  Will having this colectomy drastically change my life style?  My cardiologist feels my cardio risk is low for the surgery but I should consider how this will affect my healthy lifestyle.


This discussion is related to Pseudo Polyps.
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Avatar universal
This is only forum I had found on the intestine surgery post-op recovery but I did found it useful so I thought I would post my progress as it seems related to other postings.

I am in 6th week in post-op recovery and had variety of side issues.

I had resection of the small bowel - little one, mere 10 CM , though in ER after a long wait and with some complication. Full invasive incision, bowel resected and ileucecum valve saved - so said the report -

I was stapled and put on morphine after the surgery. Note - I am a 52 year old male in perfect health with typical over-the-head California healthy diet (juicing fresh veggies etc, ... ) - woke up and felt relatively well, started drinking after 2 days, eating after 4 days when my friends Gastroenter. doc. had recommend to smell food to get bowels moving - it worked , or so it seemed -
Unfortunately I the incision become infected, followed by a pleiad of complications, from partial to complete unstapling in several ER visits and ending up in wound clinic for a week long cleaning and debridement of infected tissue, .... see picture if you dare ...
That made me really watch my state - my symptoms included sharp pains in different parts of my bowels - that's supposedly normal and it had slowly receded to minimum and seem to be related to diet, .

The first very stringy and irregular bowel movement was becoming solid and without the presence of odd flakes surrounded phlegm like substance. Taking stool was not painless either, but stabilized pretty much now to not-so-unusual state, ...still with occasional runny stool.

the other issues seemed to either flabergast all my doctors, or they did consider that normal - though they would never said either way, iether way it was the explanation that I was missing -

1. dizziness and hyperoxigenation that is continuing to happen until now but had receded in frequency and power, ... I am back on stairmaster and walk a lot, bike to the hospital daily. Had EKG , though negative, , first , I thought, it's post-anesthesia side-effect but that should not last ore then a few days, .... so I am waiting for that to end and not happy about it ...

2. sudden and extensive in different areas of both of my legs and pain in my right pelvic femoral canal that is still there so I cannot stand on my right leg - I suspect large amount of fluids or ascites to travel around ??? and slowly getting dissipated but doc's did not confirm that and coul not find any references but one of the post mentiones that as well. They ran 2 x ultrasound fro DVT / clotting - that was fortunately negative, but although swelling is gone now the pain and pressure in pelvis is still there, ... very annoying as it prevents me from doing standing yoga poses.

3. my nipples and chest had constant pain - they were super-sensitive to the touch - no one can explain why, but it's slowly receding now, ... after 6 weeks , ....

4. I have been sweating at night, without fever, I go through 3 shirts easy although now it receded . It is accompanied by total dryness in my moth that made my tongue stick to to the palate,as if saliva stop being produced, .. also not explained, ....

5.  The fatigue has been intense, and alarming combined with dizziness and hyperoxugenation, ... my energy would drop by early afternoon and I went to sleep, .... it took at least 4 weeks to last thru the day, .... if we make love with my girfriend one night I can guarantee that I will have to sleep next day in the afternoo, ....  

right now, I am in 6th week in po-op recovery and am a little impatient getting better - though I understand I lost 3 weeks with reopening and cleaning the incision.

Hope this will be useful to somebody, JL
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Avatar universal

After the colon has been removed there is nowhere for the intestinal water to be "stored" and it leaves the body as "loose watery motions" which can cause anal soreness,  The frequency of toilet visits should lessen over time.  My "remedy" (i.e. high fibre diet etc) was quite simple - imagine that you spilt a liquid on the kitchen floor and then threw sand/sawdust on the soillage in order to make it easier to scoop up the spillage - as a "sludge" rather than as a liquid.  Well follow the same principle for your intestines - i.e. high fibre diet, eat preparations containing uncooked oats and bran etc.  Hopefully that will make your motions more "muddy/sludgy" rather than liquid.

After each visit to the toilet I suggest cleansing of the anus with soap and water as well as a mild antiseptic/soothing cream to help with the irritation from motions that now probably contain more corrosive components than before the surgery.

regards
Morecambe
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Avatar universal
Hi, I read your post today, I would like to share my experience.  As my husband has undergone this surgery in 2010 Jan (severe ulcerative Collitis) till today he is going to bathroom in the night for more than 10-15 times in the day time it is around 2-4 times, He will get rashes in the auns part frequently saying it is burning & itching all through the night he won't sleep, I need to know what diet he has to take & who can help in this regard,  His BP is coming down, he is not energitic, We are located in Bangalore (India).
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Avatar universal
I am a 57 year old female who have had chronic and massive diverticular bleeds for 9 years.  After many test, my doctors has yet to determine the location of the bleeds, so taking out the damage section is not an option.  However, since the interval of the bleeds have gotten closer, my surgeon has recommended removal of my entire colon and attaching my small intestines to my rectum.  I have yet to have the final discussion with my surgeon about the procedure but am intersted in anything I can find out about this procedure and life afterwards.  I am a teacher and would like to continue an active lifestyle following the surgery.
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Avatar universal
I just had a total colectomy on Dec. 9,2010. The most important thing you
should do is find a surgeon that is knowledgeable and experienced in the procedure! I went to UCLA and had Dr.Sack, who  also teaches this procedure, perform the operation. I feel so blessed to have found him and  I am recovering much faster then anticipated.
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1516597 tn?1290830935
Hello Bethie233, Im a 14 year old boy living in Georgia. I had a pull through sometime in may (Somewhere around in there) Its been about 7 months now. My surgeon's name was Dr. Parker. If im correct his first name was Paul. But im not sure. He did the surgery at egleston's children hostpital in Atlanta Ga.
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